Southampton gained promotion again to the Premier League on Sunday after beating Leeds United 1-0 within the Championship playoff last at Wembley Stadium in London, incomes an instantaneous return to England’s prime tier following relegation in 2023.
Adam Armstrong was the Southampton match winner, as his first-half purpose was sufficient to see off a Leeds aspect that struggled to muster a significant response. Substitute Daniel James got here closest after his shot hit the bar late within the second half.
– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, extra (U.S.)
Southampton will be a part of Leicester Metropolis and Ipswich City within the Premier League subsequent season, the latter being promoted after a 22-year absence from the highest flight, whereas Leicester additionally returned to the Premier League on the first try after relegation final 12 months.
As for Leeds, whose U.S. possession group comprises major-winning golfers Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas, the membership’s playoff woes continued.
This was the sixth time Leeds have did not go up through the playoffs. Making it much more painful is the truth that Leeds completed third within the common season — three factors above fourth-place Southampton — and missed out on computerized promotion after successful solely one among their final six video games.
“I believe we most likely did not play our greatest recreation as we speak, however we confirmed a distinct aspect,” Southampton defender Jack Stephens mentioned. “A couple of folks have doubted us this season — can we defend, can we dig in? I believe we confirmed we are able to.”
It was a 3rd win towards Leeds this season for Southampton, which has gained their conferences dwelling, away and now at Wembley.
Southampton is the staff of British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and owned by Sport Republic, an funding agency within the sports activities and leisure trade fronted by Dragan Solak — the founding father of jap European telecommunications big United Group. Solak was at Wembley, but it surely was not instantly clear if Sunak was.
Data from Reuters and the Related Press contributed to this report.